Geraldine M. (Primavera) Hoetger

Geraldine M. “Jeri” Hoetger, 87, of Elkhart, died at home on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, surrounded by her loving children and grandchildren.

Jeri was born in Elkhart on July 7, 1934 to the late Joseph and Nancy (Gaetano) Primavera.  She was also preceded in death by a brother, Robert Primavera and a sister, Mary Jo Primavera.

On December 15, 1956, Jeri married Donald A. Dobson in Elkhart.  Donald died April 8, 1975.  She then married Thomas H. Hoetger on December 24, 1983 in Elkhart.  Tom died on November 10, 2002.

Jeri is survived by four daughters: Nancy Jo (Rick) Bogdonanwicz of Ft. Wayne, Kathleen (Frank Calvo) Krauter of Elkhart, Donna Jo (Chris Corbin) Borgaard of Goshen, Mary Jo (Patrick) Lucchese of Elkhart and a son, Joseph (Connie) Dobson of Elkhart. Also surviving are a sister, Margaret “Cookie” Nix of Tempe, AZ, eleven grandchildren: Tommy (Colette) Krauter, Danny (Tara) Borgaard, Tony (Amber) Gibson, Andrew (Melissa) Gibson, Casey (Brian) Sager, Joey (Kaylie) Dobson, Erin Dobson, Gabby Lucchese, Sam Lucchese, Ellie Dobson and Gavin Calvo, and ten great grandchildren: Taylor, Olivia, Emilia, Jackson, Monroe, Aaliyah, Quentin, Maddy, Oliver and Marlo.

Jeri made a career in the restaurant business and was employed for 27 years at Casey’s in downtown Elkhart.  After leaving Casey’s she worked for another 20 years at The Bulldog before retiring.  She was a 1952 graduate of Elkhart High School and a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church.  Jeri was a beloved and well-respected IHSAA Swimming and Diving Official for many years for Elkhart Community Schools. She loved every minute of it. Above all else, family was her pride and joy. In the summer, she could be found by the pool every weekend, surrounded by family, and enjoying her grandchildren. Continuing her family’s Italian tradition of Sunday dinners, she enjoyed cooking her favorite dishes and spending time with her family around the dinner table and a football game on the TV. She was an avid sports fan, never missing her children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events. She passed her love of sport onto her five children, all of whom became swimming, gymnastics, baseball and cheerleading coaches.

Visitation for Jeri will be held on Sunday, January 9, 2022 from 2 pm until 4 pm at Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home.  The Holy Rosary will be prayed at 3:30 pm.  A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, January 10th at 10:00 am at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church with Rev. Jason Frieburger officiating.  Burial will be at a later date at St. Vincent Cemetery in Elkhart.

Memorial contributions in memory of Jeri may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105-9959. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Geraldine M. (Primavera) Hoetger, please visit our floral store.